Give the international student market the credit it deserves

Our guest writer is Ranjit Sidhu, founder of Statistics into Decisions

International-students Earlier this month, immigration minister, Damian Green told the Today programme that the number of visas given to international students was “a hot political topic”. He misses the point – they are an economic necessity. Mr Green would not admit whether there was or was not a benefit to this country from these international students. The fact’s speak for themselves.

The Economist has stated that in 2008 the international student market was worth £2.9 billion in fees and another £2.3 billion in spending to the UK economy – a total of more than £5 billion. Another benefit was that, having studied here, individuals would be more likely to work with UK companies and organisations when they returned to their country of origin. This ‘soft power’ network has benefited the US for decades.

The Government argues that it is not a good use of resources that one-in-five foreign students stay after their visa has expired. But this 20 per cent of international students are not staying illegally. Instead, they will either be carrying on with postgraduate degrees (fees revenue) or finding employment (tax revenue). What is wrong with 70,000 young, gifted, hardworking people staying in the UK? With an aging population this should surely be desirable.

In 2010, the number of study visas increased by 35 per cent to 362,000. Assuming a pro rata increase in revenue, this implies £3.7 billion in fees and £3.2 billion in other expenditure. So over the last year, this export industry has brought an extra £1 billion in revenue into this country.

By targeting the 70,000 international students who choose to stay in this country after they have finished their course, the Government is failing in its role of promoting the British economy. Worst still, if it chooses to restrict this industry by limiting the number of study visas it will not only hamper our universities in the international market, but send a message across the world that the UK government is not behind its higher education sector.

If we do not want these young, intelligent, motivated people to provide billions of pounds in extra revenue, there are plenty of other universities around the world queueing to take them off our hands.

http://twitter.com/ip_so_facto/status/26080099588 Ipso Facto

RT @leftfootfwd: Give the international student market the credit it deserves http://bit.ly/9PGdnm
http://twitter.com/hsramdnih/status/26080129157 Jon Hindmarsh

RT @leftfootfwd: Give the international student market the credit it deserves http://bit.ly/9PGdnm
http://twitter.com/ejournuk/status/26080167857 James Anslow

RT @leftfootfwd: Give the international student market the credit it deserves http://bit.ly/9PGdnm
http://twitter.com/maroqui/status/26080204231 Youssef

RT @leftfootfwd: Give the international student market the credit it deserves http://bit.ly/9PGdnm
http://twitter.com/armadillos/status/26080536077 Gavin Lingiah

RT @leftfootfwd: Give the international student market the credit it deserves http://bit.ly/9PGdnm
http://twitter.com/rssidhu/status/26081454344 Ranjit Sidhu

My article is in The Left Foot Forward blog "Give the international student market the credit it deserves" http://bit.ly/9PGdnm
http://twitter.com/boredlondongurl/status/26082125634 Melissa Nicole Harry

RT @leftfootfwd: Give the international student market the credit it deserves http://bit.ly/9PGdnm
http://twitter.com/duncanstott/status/26082134812 Duncan Stott

RT @leftfootfwd: Give the international student market the credit it deserves http://bit.ly/9PGdnm
http://twitter.com/gavinthetory/status/26082600124 Gavin M

I agree with @leftfoodfwd on something: http://bit.ly/9PGdnm
http://twitter.com/mjeive/status/26084197858 Michael Jeive

RT @leftfootfwd: Give the international student market the credit it deserves http://bit.ly/9PGdnm
http://twitter.com/rssidhu/status/26084886724 Ranjit Sidhu

My piece in Left Foot Forward "Give the international student market the credit it deserves" http://bit.ly/9PGdnm (with correct link!)
steve

Because too many of them are “studying” English at Fake college Inc. Real studies from overseas have no problem with leaving the country at the end of their course, they have worked their socks off for X years to get a good qualification and have no interest in earning minimum wage or less in the black economy.

The vast majority of the 70000 are just bypassing immigration controls, trying to paint them as real students is just false.
http://twitter.com/goteamalice/status/26088696549 Alice Perry

RT @leftfootfwd: Give the international student market the credit it deserves http://bit.ly/9PGdnm
John Lees

Allowing more immigration is no answer to an ageing polulation – this is a myth perpetuated by the pro immigration lobby. Immigrants also age and live as long as natives, so if you allow in young immigrants, when they are old you need even more. It is an immigration pyramid scheme. Added to the fact that immigration does not benefit those already here and there is no argument to allow further immigration. Alow people to University and for short periods but not long term immigration.
http://twitter.com/balmaha/status/26090532671 balmaha

RT @leftfootfwd: Give the international student market the credit it deserves http://bit.ly/9PGdnm
http://twitter.com/sarah_duff/status/26090726492 Sarah Duff

RT @leftfootfwd Give the international student market the credit it deserves http://bit.ly/9PGdnm
StephenH

For a science dept. like my own about 20 MSc students supply about 3% of income (each paying £15,000). For non-science departments such as law, economics, or architecture, however foreign students can be bringing in about 15-20% of their income. Many such departments would not be financially viable otherwise.
http://twitter.com/pestipucu/status/26093913070 Sara Beremenyi

RT @leftfootfwd: Give the international student market the credit it deserves http://bit.ly/9PGdnm
http://twitter.com/cara11s/status/26094821048 cara shawn

Give the international student market the credit it deserves …: The Economist has stated that in 2008 the intern… http://bit.ly/9gO2YP
http://twitter.com/rmkhead13/status/26094823185 Brad Hanshaw

Give the international student market the credit it deserves …: The Economist has stated that in 2008 the intern… http://bit.ly/9IPxG1
http://twitter.com/creditfix09/status/26094825223 scott joy

Give the international student market the credit it deserves …: The Economist has stated that in 2008 the intern… http://bit.ly/cJ6xLH
http://twitter.com/rssidhu Ranjit Sidhu

Thanks for the comments:
steve: – the economic value of the international student is clearly there in plain figures:.The international student market brings more rev than industries like advertising and does not recieve the credit it should get as an important industry to support of this country.

Steve + John Lees: Thanks for your comments, they are both opinions which I do not agree with. I prefer to relate to the facts above of the income that international student bring to the economy

StephenH: I agree- and this what many VCs know, therefore there is not a single Uni that isn’t pushing desperately for a slice of international student market with a shrinking UK student revenue model.
http://www.thisissid.com/2010/09/06/young-motivated-and-providing-billions-to-our-economy-give-the-international-student-market-the-credit-it-deserves/ Young, motivated and providing billions to our economy- give the international student market the credit it deserves. | MYTHOS

[...] An edited version of this was published at Left Foot Forward [...]
John Lees

Stephen – I doubt your genuine students are at risk, it is more the ones that seek to use bogus colleges to bypass controls. They make it more complicated for everyone else. Also if we allow students to stay on in the UK we are draining not helping their source contry.
Mike C

Well said. International students are a sign that we are exporting our eduction, and since Mr Cameron wants an export-led recovery I’m sure he’ll be very happy to see more arrive. Yes there are always some who abuse the system but then there is always some contraband in the export boxes at customs. We don’t shut down customs because of this. Many students who complete a degree are also legally allowed to find work for up to one year after their study in the UK is complete. The task for the government is to make sure we have a system which tracks students through their study and ensures they leave at the end if they are required to do so. I’m not sure why students are being targeted really. I would have though people coming in on tourist visa are much more likely to be a problem.
http://twitter.com/rssidhu Ranjit Sidhu

Thank you for your comments:

steve: The facts are that the international student market is larger than advertising and many other sectors in bringing in revenue into this country. I disagree with your opinion, but that is your opinion so i respect it. I would perhaps state it is this opinion that is stopping it getting the credit it deserves?

John Lees: Again, on facts these students are bringing a large amount to our economy that can be factually stated, it is not by chance that Australia, Canada, Germany and France as well as a host of other countries are making the market far more competitive.

StephenH: Agree- that is why every VC in the country is saying how his/her University is going for international students. With UK budgets being cut, this is the only growth market
http://twitter.com/japglish/status/26104455941 Peter Williams

RT @sarah_duff: RT @leftfootfwd Give the international student market the credit it deserves http://bit.ly/9PGdnm
http://twitter.com/davidcomp/status/26110697128 David Comp

"Give the international student market the credit it deserves" at http://bit.ly/b7unPC
http://twitter.com/degreesoverseas/status/26111113396 DegreesOverseas

RT @DavidComp: "Give the international student market the credit it deserves" at http://bit.ly/b7unPC
http://twitter.com/globalpgh/status/26111244819 GlobalPittsburgh

RT @DavidComp: "Give the international student market the credit it deserves" at http://bit.ly/b7unPC
Mr. Sensible

The government’s whole approach to migration is trying to pander to the Daily Mail.
http://twitter.com/dylszero/status/26259633293 Dylan Barlow

RT @leftfootfwd: Give the international student market the credit it deserves http://bit.ly/9PGdnm
http://ukinternationalstudent.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/hello-world/ UK International Student « UK International Student

[...] Give the international student market the credit it deserves (leftfootforward.org) [...]
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/09/anti-foreign-student-rhetoric-risks-real-harm-to-our-global-reputation/ Anti-foreign student rhetoric risks real harm to our global reputation | Left Foot Forward

[...] Give the international student market the credit it deserves – Ranjit Sidhu, October 1st [...]
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/11/uk-student-visa-system-turning-prospective-entrepreneurs-away/ New student visa system turning prospective entrepreneurs away from the UK | Left Foot Forward

[...] Give the international student market the credit it deserves – Ranjit Sidhu, October 1st [...]